Folding container

ABSTRACT

A folding container is provided which is particularly adapted to accommodate a cored roll product. The design of the container is such that it may be loaded or unloaded either manually or mechanically by the use of a sling or shaft hoist. The endwalls of the container include means whereby portions thereof may be outwardly folded so as to expose segments of the endfaces of the accommodated product during loading or unloading of the container, or remain in an unfolded condition so as to conceal the endfaces of said product during shipment or storage of the loaded container.

11 3,744,698 1451 July 10,1973

[ FOLDING CONTAINER [75] Inventor:

Evanston, Ill.

[22] Filed: Jan. 18, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 218,795

[52] US. Cl. 229]" RS, 206/52 R, 206/58 [51] Int. Cl 865d 5/72, B65d 85/66 [58] Field of Search 206/58, 52 R, 52 W;

229/17 RS, 33, 45, 51 SC; 221/309 Terrill L. Nederveld, Neffsville, Pa. [73] Assignee: Packaging Corporation of America,

4/1966 Coe 206/58 9/1970 Link ..206/58X Primary Examiner-Davis T. Moorhead Att0rr1ey -Albert H. Pendleton, Arthur A. Olson, Jr. et a].

[57] ABSTRACT A folding container is provided which is particularl adapted to accommodate a cored roll product. The design of the container is such that it may be loaded or unloaded either manually or mechanically by the use of a sling or shaft hoist. The endwalls of the container include means whereby portions thereof may be outwardly folded so as to expose segments of the endfaces L References Cited of the accommodated product during loading or un- I UNITED T S A E loading of the container, or remain. in an unfolded con- 3,229,8l2 H1966 Metzger 206/58 dition so as to conceal the endfacesl of said product dur- 485,712 11/1892 Rogers 206l52 R ing shipment or storage of the'loaded container. 2,017,405 10/1935 Pantalone 206/58 2,824,641 2/1958 Koenig 206/52 R 10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures i l kq 2/ d 2/1;--\ Jz/a i 2m z/c 13/ r I T 2/0 206 209 20 -20a :29 u u m "-2 ZZIJ 1 1 22b 22a\ 1 l I 220 22 a V 2" 22 I-J 22 f 224 224 H220 PAIENIED JUL 1 0 I975 sum 1 or 2 FIG. I

PATENIEUJ'UL 10 ms FIG. 3

FIG.4

1 FOLDING CONTAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l-Ieretofore the packaging of a cored roll product was oftentimes an awkward, frustating and time-consuming operation which failed to provide adequate protection for the accommodated product. Inspection of numerous prior containerswhen loaded could not be readily accomplished without substantial mutilation of the container itself. In certain instances it is desirable that,

the product remain within the container and be periodically dispensed therefrom; however, with prior containers effective reclosing thereof could not be readily accomplished once they had been initially opened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide a folding container which is of simple, compact design; is capable of being readily loaded or unloaded either manually or by mechanical means; and is formed from a blank wherein there is a minimum of material waste.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a container affording effective protection for the accommodated product, and provide a top panel which may be readily reclosed when desired and when in a reclosed position protects the accommodated product against dirt and other foreign matter.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved container which may be readily palletized with other containers of similar design.

Furtherand additional objects will appear from the descriptions, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a folding container is provided for accommodating a cored roll product. The container includes a bottom panel which subtends and supportingly engages the accommodated product. Opposing side panels are foldably connected to the peripheral segments of the bottom panel and extend upwardly therefrom. The height of each side panel is substantially the same as the maximum height of the accommodated product. Composite end panels are disposed upright at opposite ends of the bottom panel and cooperate with the side panels to delimit the accommodated product. Each composite end panel comprises an upright first section which is foldably connected to the periphery of the bottom panel, and a pair of upright second sections foldably connected to the corresponding ends of the side panels. The second sections overlap the upright first section and each second section is provided with a folding flap which extends downwardly from the upper edge of the second section and, when folded outwardly, exposes the adjacent endface of the accommodated product. When the flaps are not folded, they conceal the endfaces of the accommodated product. A top panel is foldably connected to the upper edge of one of the side panels and, when in a closed position, overlies and conceals the accommodated product. The top panel is provided with a tuck flap which is foldably connected to the edge thereof opposite the edge connected to the side panel. The tuck flap is adapted to interlockingly engage the other side panel and retain the top panel in a closed position.

DESCRIPTION For a more complete understanding of the invention reference should be made to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of one form of a blank for the improved container.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views showing the blank of FIG. 1 in various stages of being set up about a cored roll product.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but showing the loaded container fully set up and ready for storage or shipment to the customer.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 3 and showing the flaps of the end panels folded out wardly to facilitate unloading of the container by means of a shaft hoist or C hook.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 3 and showing the accommodated product being removed therefrom by means of a sling.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 4, one form of the improved container 10 is shown which is adapted to accommodate a cored roll product 11, see FIG. 5. The product 11 may consist of a web 11a of film material wound about a core of wood, metal, or the like. The core, in the illustrated embodiment, is provided with square or rectangularly shaped end members 11b between which the web is disposed. An axially disposed opening 11c may be formed in each end member for accommodating the tines of a C hook or the shaft of a shaft hoist, not shown. The shape and size of the improved container 10 will depend upon the size and shape of the product to be accommodated therein.

Container 10 is formed from a single blank 12 (see FIG. 1) preferably of double-faced corrugated fiberboard or the like, and includes a bottom panel 13 which subtends and supportingly engages the accommodated product 11, and a pair of upright side panels 14 and 15 foldably connected toopposite peripheral portions of the bottom panel 13. Upright composite end panels 16 and 17 are disposed at opposite ends of the bottom panel. Foldably connected'to side panel 15 is a top panel 18 which, when in a closed position, overlies the accommodated product and thus, the product is protected from damage, dirt, etc. If desired, the top panel and its associated tuck flaps, to be hereinafter described, may be omitted, in which case the container might be closed by a telescoping cover, not shown.

Each composite end panel 16 or 17, in the illustrated embodiment, is formed of a first panel section 20,

. which is foldably connected to the bottom panel 13,

and a pair of second panel sections 21 and 22 which are .foldably connected to the corresponding ends of the side panels 14 and 15 and overlie the first panel section 20. Each second panel section extends the full height of the container side panels. The dimensions of the second panel sections 21 and 22, in the illustrated embodiment, are substantially the same and the outer elongated edges 21a and 22a thereof are in substantial abutting relation when the panel sections are in set up relation, see FIGS. 3 and 4. The outer edge 21a or 220 of each panel section is provided with a transversely extending, short, slit 21b or 22b which is disposed beneath the mid-height of the edge. The inner edge of each slit terminates at an elongated foldline 21c or 220 which is transversely disposed relative thereto and is substantially parallel to the foldline connection between the panel section and the adjacent side panel. The portions of the outer edges of panel sections 21 and 22 disposed above the slits 21b and 22b form flaps 21d and 22d. In an.alternative construction, not shown, the panel sections are not of the same configuration and one of the panel sections is the larger of the two and has a centrally disposed flap spaced from the outer edge of said one panel section.

Panel section is preferably provided with a pair of parallel short slits 20a which are formed along the upper edge, see FIGS. 1 and 2. The inner ends of the slits 20a terminate at a foldline 20b which is disposed .substantially parallel to the foldline connection between the panel section and the bottom panel 13. The segment of the upper edge of the section panel 20, which is disposed between the slits 200, forms a flap 20c.

Flaps 21d, 22d, and 200 are adapted to be folded outwardly, as'seen in FIG. 5, so as to expose the openings 110 formed in the end members 1112 of the accommodated product. The width of flap 200 is such that it is disposed between folded flaps 21d and 22d and retains the latter in an outwardly folded relation. When the flaps are in a nonfolded condition, the ends of the container 17 are completely closed.

The top panel 18 has foldably connected to its outer edge, an elongated tuck flap 23 and to its opposite end edges, side tuck flaps 24. When the top panel 18 assumes a closed position, each side tuck flap 24 is disposed between the product end member or endface 1 1b and the folded panel sections 21 and 22. The lower edge of each side tuck flap 24 is preferably in abutting relation with the upper edge of panel sections 20; thus, substantially the entire ends of the container are protected by at least double-ply material.

The upper edge of side panel 14 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced depending slits 14a. The slits 14a coact with the elongated tuck flap 23 of the top panel 18 and retain same in its closed position, see FIG. 4. When the loaded container is initially shipped, strips of adhesive tape 25, or the like, may be used to prevent accidental opening, see FIG. 4. Even after the top panel has been initially opened, the top panel can be readily reclosed and retained in such position by the tuck flap 23 coacting with the slits 14a.

The improved container is capable of being loaded, or unloaded, from the open top by either a sling 26 which encompasses the central portion of the product, see FIG. 6, or by a C hook or shaft hoist, not shown, which engages the axially aligned openings 110 formed in the end members 11b of the product 11. An alternative way of loading the container would be to spot the product on the bottom panel 13 of the blank 12 and then fold the blank about the product, with the latter serving as a forming mandrel.

The blank 12, as seen in FIG. 1, has a substantially rectangular peripheral configuration and may be readily formed with conventional scoring and slotting equipment with a minimal amount of material waste. The size and shape of the blank may vary from that shown and will depend upon the particular product to be accommodated.

Thus, it will be seen that an improved container has been provided which is of simple, inexpensive design, provides effective protection for the accommodated product, and is capable of being loaded or unloaded in a variety of ways.

I claim:

1. A folding container for accommodating a cored roll product, said container comprising a bottom panel subtending and supporting the accommodated product, opposing upright side panels foldably connected to said bottom panel, and opposing upright composite end panels; each end panel including an upright planar first section foldably connected to said bottom panel, and at least one upright planar second section foldably connected to one side panel, said first and second sections being secured in overlapping relation and closing the end of said container, said first section having a height less than the height of said end panel, said second section being provided with an outwardly foldable flap having the upper edge thereof terminating at the upper edge of said end panel, the length of said flap being less than the height of said second section, said flap being foldable about an upright axis and, when in an outwardly folded position, exposing a portion of the end face of the accommodated product.

2. A folding container for accommodating a cored roll product, said container comprising a bottom panel subtending and supporting the accommodated product, opposing upright side panels foldably connected to said bottom panel, and opposing upright composite endpanels; each composite end panel including an upright first section foldably connected to said bottom panel, and a pair of upright, elongated second sections foldably connected to said side panels, the free elongated edges of said second sections being in close proximity to one another, each second section being provided with an elongated flap extending downwardly from the upper edge of said end panel, the length of said flap being less than the height of said second section, each flap having one side thereof defined by the free elongated edge of said second section; said flaps, when folded outwardly, exposing a portion of the end face of the accommodated product.

3. The folding container of claim 2 wherein the first section of each composite end panel has the upper edge thereof terminating adjacent the lower edges of the folding flaps of said second sections.

4. The folding container of claim 2 including a top panel foldably connected to the upper edge of a side panel, and a tuck flap foldably connected to the outer edge of said top panel and interlockingly engaging the upper edge of the other side panels whereby said top panel remains in a closed position.

5. The folding container of claim 4 wherein the upper edge of said other side panel is provided with a pair of spaced, depending slits; a portion of said tuck flap overlying the segment of the other side panel upper edge which is disposed intermediate said slits when said top panel is in a closed position.

6. The folding container of claim 3 wherein the second sections overlap the first section of each end panel and the upper edge of each first section is provided with a folding tab which, when folded outwardly, is disposed intermediate the outwardly folded flaps of the adjacent second sections and retains said flaps in said outwardly folded relation.

7. The folding container of claim 4 wherein the second sections of each composite end panel overlap the first section and the top panel includes a pair of end flaps, each end flap being disposed between the adjacent composite end panel and the end face of the accommodated product, when said top panel is in a closed position, the lower edge of each end flap being adjacent the upper edge of the upright first section of said adjacent composite end panel.

8. The folding container of claim 2 wherein each folding flap of the second sections has a length greater than one half the height of the composite end panel.

9. A blank for a folding container adapted to accommodate a cored roll product, said blank comprising a first side panel, a bottom panel, and a second side panel, said panels being foldably connected and arranged in side-by-side relation, first panel sections foldably connected to and extending laterally from opposite ends of said bottom panel, the outer edge of each first panel section being provided with a pair of slits arranged in spaced relation and having the inner ends thereof interconnected by a foldline so as to form an outwardly foldable tab, and second panel sections foldably connected to and extending laterally from opposite ends of each side panel; said first and second panel sections being adapted to overlap 'one another, when tersecting said outer edge thereof, said second edge forming the upper edge of the composite end panel of the set up container. Y

10. The blank of claim 9 including a top panel foldably connected to said second side panel and in side-byside relation therewith, the dimensions of said top and bottom panels being substantially the same, and an elongated tuck flap foldably connected to the edge of said top panel opposite the edge connected to said second side panel.

* Al II( 

1. A folding container for accommodating a cored roll product, said container comprising a bottom panel subtending and supporting the accommodated product, opposing upright side panels foldably connected to said bottom panel, and opposing upright composite end panels; each end panel including an upright planar first section foldably connected to said bottom panel, and at least one upright planar second section foldably connected to one side panel, said first and second sections being secured in overlapping relation and closing the end of said container, said first section having a height less than the height of said end panel, said second section being provided with an outwardly foldable flap having the upper edge thereof terminating at the upPer edge of said end panel, the length of said flap being less than the height of said second section, said flap being foldable about an upright axis and, when in an outwardly folded position, exposing a portion of the end face of the accommodated product.
 2. A folding container for accommodating a cored roll product, said container comprising a bottom panel subtending and supporting the accommodated product, opposing upright side panels foldably connected to said bottom panel, and opposing upright composite end panels; each composite end panel including an upright first section foldably connected to said bottom panel, and a pair of upright, elongated second sections foldably connected to said side panels, the free elongated edges of said second sections being in close proximity to one another, each second section being provided with an elongated flap extending downwardly from the upper edge of said end panel, the length of said flap being less than the height of said second section, each flap having one side thereof defined by the free elongated edge of said second section; said flaps, when folded outwardly, exposing a portion of the end face of the accommodated product.
 3. The folding container of claim 2 wherein the first section of each composite end panel has the upper edge thereof terminating adjacent the lower edges of the folding flaps of said second sections.
 4. The folding container of claim 2 including a top panel foldably connected to the upper edge of a side panel, and a tuck flap foldably connected to the outer edge of said top panel and interlockingly engaging the upper edge of the other side panels whereby said top panel remains in a closed position.
 5. The folding container of claim 4 wherein the upper edge of said other side panel is provided with a pair of spaced, depending slits; a portion of said tuck flap overlying the segment of the other side panel upper edge which is disposed intermediate said slits when said top panel is in a closed position.
 6. The folding container of claim 3 wherein the second sections overlap the first section of each end panel and the upper edge of each first section is provided with a folding tab which, when folded outwardly, is disposed intermediate the outwardly folded flaps of the adjacent second sections and retains said flaps in said outwardly folded relation.
 7. The folding container of claim 4 wherein the second sections of each composite end panel overlap the first section and the top panel includes a pair of end flaps, each end flap being disposed between the adjacent composite end panel and the end face of the accommodated product, when said top panel is in a closed position, the lower edge of each end flap being adjacent the upper edge of the upright first section of said adjacent composite end panel.
 8. The folding container of claim 2 wherein each folding flap of the second sections has a length greater than one half the height of the composite end panel.
 9. A blank for a folding container adapted to accommodate a cored roll product, said blank comprising a first side panel, a bottom panel, and a second side panel, said panels being foldably connected and arranged in side-by-side relation, first panel sections foldably connected to and extending laterally from opposite ends of said bottom panel, the outer edge of each first panel section being provided with a pair of slits arranged in spaced relation and having the inner ends thereof interconnected by a foldline so as to form an outwardly foldable tab, and second panel sections foldably connected to and extending laterally from opposite ends of each side panel; said first and second panel sections being adapted to overlap one another, when said blank is set up, so as to form composite end panels, at least one second panel section of each composite end panel including an elongated folding flap adapted to be in registered relation with said foldable tab, when said blank is set up, and outwardly foldable about a substantially upright axis, one end of eAch flap being defined by a slit formed in the outer edge of said second panel section and the opposite end of said flap terminating at a second edge of the second panel section intersecting said outer edge thereof, said second edge forming the upper edge of the composite end panel of the set up container.
 10. The blank of claim 9 including a top panel foldably connected to said second side panel and in side-by-side relation therewith, the dimensions of said top and bottom panels being substantially the same, and an elongated tuck flap foldably connected to the edge of said top panel opposite the edge connected to said second side panel. 